Got about $20k saved and want to start e-commerce. Trying to figure out my next move.
Categories I’m looking at:
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Pet supplements (ODM, trying to build a small brand, US + Middle East)
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Cheap fragrances (low-end ODM, same markets)
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Toys (saw a course recommend it)
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Furniture repair parts / small hardware (also from a course)
A few questions for people who actually do this:
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Which category is actually doable on $20k?
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Amazon or Temu? Which marketplace makes sense?
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For pet supplements in the Middle East – is SHEIN a decent entry point? I know they’re fashion-heavy, but seems like pet owner overlap could be there.
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How should I split my $20k so I don’t blow it all in a month?
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Fully managed (like Temu) or semi-managed? Trying to make my budget last.
Any real-world advice helps. I’m still learning so don’t hold back.
Answers (5)
Test small, don’t overorder
Don’t order 500 units of anything.
Start with 100–200 units across 2–3 products.
Run tiny ads ($20/day), see what moves. Double down on winners, kill the rest fast.
Your first year isn’t about profit. It’s about not quitting and learning the system.
Temu can move units, but you have no control over pricing, brand, or profit. Margins are tiny.
Amazon is harder, but it’s a real asset.
With $20k, I’d skip Temu and focus on one low-competition product on Amazon. Furniture repair parts are perfect for that.
Go get a job at a small Amazon agency or a seller. Learn PPC, listings, supply chain. Do that for a year. You’ll avoid $20k worth of mistakes.
Realistic Amazon math
I started with way less than $20k. Here’s what that actually looks like:
You’ll have to reorder fast if something sticks.
$20k can last 3–4 months if you’re tight. No fancy tools, no office — just work from home.
$20k is tight. Stick to one platform.
$20k isn’t a lot for Amazon. Inventory, shipping, ads, fees — it vanishes fast.
Honest extra tip:
If you can, get a job at an e-commerce company for 6–12 months. Learn on someone else’s dollar. Your chance of success blind is super low.